tabla

American  

[tah-bluh, tuhb-luh] / ˈtɑ blə, ˈtʌb lə /

noun

1. a small drum or pair of drums of India tuned to different pitches and played with the hands.

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tabla British  

/ ˈtɑːblɑː, ˈtʌblə /

noun

1. a musical instrument of India consisting of a pair of drums whose pitches can be varied

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Etymology

Origin of tabla

1860–65; earlier tubla < Hindi tablā < Arabic ṭabla, derivative of ṭabl drum

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tabla

Classical training came early - he learnt tabla alongside vocal training - but so did exposure to popular music.

From BBC ● Jan. 28, 2026

In a discussion on stage after the concert, Nader, who lives in Los Angeles, emphasized his own interest in what’s next for tabla.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2025

He became one of the most convincing early proponents of the world music movement, readily fitting in tabla with flamenco as well as with African, Indonesian , Afro-Cuban, you-name-it drumming.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2025

The sleeve notes credit players of the sitar and the tabla, the Kashmiri santoor and the South Indian kanjira.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2025

“Can we add some tabla and harmonium to it, like in the qawali songs I played for you?”

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan